Abstract: A solid oxide fuel cell system (10) comprises a solid oxide fuel cell stack (12) and a gas turbine engine (14), a compressor (24) of the gas turbine engine (14) is arranged to supply oxidant to the cathodes (22) of the solid oxide fuel cell stack (12) and a fuel supply (32) is arranged to supply fuel to the anodes (20) of the solid oxide fuel cell stack (12). A portion of the unused oxidant from the cathodes (22) of the solid oxide fuel cell stack (12) is supplied back to the cathodes (22) of the solid oxide fuel cell stack (12). A portion of the unused fuel from the anodes (20) of the solid oxide fuel cell stack (12) is supplied to a combustor (52). A portion of the unused oxidant from the cathodes (22) of the solid oxide fuel cell stack (12) is supplied to the combustor (52) and the combustor (52) is arranged to supply exhaust gases to a first inlet (68) of a heat exchanger (66).

Abstract: The fuel processor (10) comprises a desulphurization reactor (12), a catalytic partial oxidation reactor (14), a combustor (16) and a pre-reformer (18), means (20) to supply a hydrocarbon fuel to the desulphurization reactor (12), means (24) to supply air to the catalytic partial oxidation reactor (14) and means (24) to supply air to the combustor (16). The desulphurization reactor (12) is arranged to supply desulphurised hydrocarbon fuel to the catalytic partial oxidation reactor (14) in first, second and third modes of operation, to the combustor (16) in a first mode of operation to the pre-reformer (18) in a third mode of operation. The combustor (16) is arranged to supply oxygen depleted air and steam to the pre-reformer (18) in the first mode of operation. The catalytic partial oxidation reactor (14) is arranged to supply hydrogen to the desulphurization reactor (12) in all three modes of operation.

Abstract: A method for inferring temperature in an enclosed volume containing a fuel/oxidant mixture, the method comprises placing at least one wire in the enclosed volume. The at least one wire having an identifiable property wherein the identifiable property of the at least one wire changes from a first identifiable state at a temperature below the auto-ignition temperature of the fuel/oxidant mixture to a second identifiable state at a temperature above the auto-ignition temperature of the fuel/oxidant mixture, and determining if the identifiable property of the at least one wire has changed from the first identifiable state to the second identifiable state and hence if the temperature in the enclosed volume is above the auto-ignition temperature of the fuel/oxidant mixture.

Abstract: A solid oxide fuel cell comprises a porous anode electrode, a dense non-porous electrolyte and a porous cathode electrode. The anode electrode comprises a plurality of parallel plate members and the cathode electrode comprises a plurality of parallel plate members. The plate members of the cathode electrode inter-digitate with the plate members of the anode electrode. The electrolyte comprises at least one electrolyte member, which fills at least one space between the parallel plate members of the anode electrode and the parallel plate members of the cathode electrode. At least one non-ionically conducting member fills at least one space between the parallel plate members of the anode electrode and the parallel plate members of the cathode electrode and the at least one electrolyte member and the at least one non-ionically conducting member are arranged alternately.

Abstract: A method of sintering a ceramic material comprises increasing the temperature of the ceramic material to a first predetermined temperature and maintaining the temperature of the ceramic material at the first predetermined temperature for a predetermined time period to increase the grain size of the ceramic material. Increasing the temperature of the ceramic material to a second predetermined temperature, decreasing the temperature of the ceramic material to a third predetermined temperature to freeze the grain size of the ceramic material and maintaining the temperature of the ceramic material at the third predetermined temperature for a third predetermined time period to densify the ceramic material. Finally decreasing the temperature of the ceramic material to ambient temperature. The method increases the density of the ceramic material. Used for electrolyte layers of solid oxide fuel cells.

Abstract: A solid oxide fuel cell comprises a porous anode electrode, a dense non-porous electrolyte and a porous cathode electrode. The anode electrode comprises a first member and a plurality of parallel plate members extending from the first member. The cathode electrode comprises a second member and a plurality of parallel plate members extending from the second member. The plate members of the cathode electrode inter-digitate with the plate members of the anode electrode and the electrolyte fills the spaces between the first and second members and the parallel plate members of the anode electrode and the cathode electrode.

Abstract: A gas delivery substrate and method of manufacture is disclosed. A thermoplastic extrusion compound is created comprising a ceramic material and a thermoplastic resin, a green body is formed by thermoplastic extrusion of the compound, and the green body is sintered to form the gas delivery substrate. Such gas delivery substrates may be thin walled, highly porous and have secondary operations such as crimping and machining done prior to sintering.